By Jarret Liotta
A study committee unanimously recommended to the Board of Education (BOE) Monday night that school start times be moved 30 minutes later, but some parents intend to keep advocating for a full hour for the high school in particular.
Members of Girl Scout Troop 51003 and Bedford Middle School 8th graders address the Board of Education in favor of later school start times, including, from left, Hannah Clemens, 14, Cecelia Vita, 14, and Chloe DeAngelis, 14. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jarret Liotta for WestportNow.com
After two years of study, the 21-member School Start Time Committee (SSTC), composed of parents, teachers, and school officials, presented what it called a compromise solution targeting teen sleep cycles.
“The research that is out there about adolescent sleep time is incredible and it’s really compelling,” said Christine Wanner, health and physical education coordinator and committee chair.
In particular, abundant research shows teen sleep cycles require later sleep into the morning, as well as natural later bedtimes given changing brain chemistry.
Christine Meiers Schatz, SSTC and Representative Town Meeting member in District 2, who was the first vocal advocate for a change three years ago, outlined details on the wide range of mental and physical health issues directly linked to forced early rising at this age and the consequent sleep deprivation due to limited REM sleep.
“There is virtually unanimous agreement in the research community on this point,” she said.
Yet concerns for scheduling of athletic programs in particular, as well as potential additional transportation costs, drove the SSTC to a final compromise.
Its proposal to have Staples High School (SHS) run from 8 a.m to 2:45 p.m., middle school and Saugatuck Elementary School 8:30-3:15 p.m., and the other elementary schools 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., would come at no additional costs to the district.
“That unanimous approval is a pretty big deal,” Wanner said, noting that SHS Athletic Director Marty Lisevick said any later dismissal time would require more students to leave class early to attend games in other towns.
“Given some of the specifics to Westport, the sports program, where we are in terms of traffic … it would be very difficult to get unanimous approval,” Wanner said, for an 8:30-3:15 p.m. school day at SHS.
But several parents and town officials urged the BOE to implement this recommendation as a first step next year with the long-term goal of going an additional half hour later on.
“I really don’t believe the plan goes far enough,” said Selectman Melissa Kane, who served on the SSTC.
“I was there and I’m still concerned that we left potentially better options on the table,” she said.
“I believe our athletic program is extraordinary (but) we are being short sighted to not figure out creative ways to meet this issue,” she said.
“I think long-term we do need to get to 8:30,” said parent Allison Keisman.
“I don’t believe that sports should be a priority over sleep,” she said, “or even academic achievement over sleep.”
“I don’t know how someone can not support this,” said parent Sharon Fiarman.
“This is so important,” she said. “No pun intended, I don’t know how you can sleep at night if you don’t support this.”
Dr. Lauren Allison, a pediatrician at Willows Pediatric Group, shared her support for the change as well.
“In summary, many pediatric governing bodies have recommended this and found that it’s better for overall health in many areas,” she said, noting it was “really hard” to overcome a teenager’s biological drive to stay up at least until 11 p.m. and sleep in later.
Meanwhile, there were several parents who voiced worry over making the elementary start time later, as this would impact childcare in the morning.
“It has a significant impact on working families,” said parent Sofia Dumery.
As a single parent, she said the reason she even chose to move to Westport instead of Darien was because their elementary start time was 9 a.m.
She said that while the change was budget neutral for parents, it wasn’t necessarily so for families, who might have to provide additional childcare.
Acknowledging the importance of working to help parents such as Dumery with this situation, Superintendent of Schools David Abbey expressed his support for the SSTC recommendation, suggesting the BOE adopt it sooner than later.
“For me it’s an important step in the right direction,” he said, “and a critical step in the right direction.”
“This is one of those areas where common sense intersects with research,” he said, suggesting Westport should “be on the right side of history” with this change.
Abbey said grade point averages were secondary to considerations of health, but noted that “as students’ health improves there will be ancillary benefits,” including better academic performance.
Overall board reaction was mixed. Member Karen Kleine expressed skepticism with the change, as benefits from a similar move in Wilton did not appear to be netting improvements in terms of reducing anxiety or improving grades, she said, according to its superintendent of schools.
“I haven’t made up my mind, but it’s something I’m thinking about,” she said.
“The logistic issues are what we have to talk about more than the science,” BOE Chair Candice Savin said.
Member Lee Goldstein applauded the work of the committee, but spoke in support of going further.
“I would really, really like to go to 8:30 at the high school,” she said. “I’ll put that out there.”
More than one member of the public suggested that Westport could lead the way in trying to encourage surrounding towns to get on board in order to bring the athletic programs more into alignment.
“Why not lead rather than follow,” said Kristen Schneeman, RTM District 9.
“If you need another 30 minutes of lights on the field, maybe you could come and talk to the RTM,” she said.
Several members of Girl Scout Troop 51003 addressed the BOE on the matter, speaking in favor of later school starts.
“I can 100% confirm it would make a difference in my school day,” said Cecelia Vita, 14, an eighth grader at Bedford Middle School.
“We need more sleep and later start times,” she said.
Unclear of its next step, the BOE postponed the matter for further discussion in the future.
